STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2902

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2405

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the shortage of agricultural workforce housing in the State, and related challenges.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group to evaluate barriers, identify solutions, and recommend strategies to expand housing options for agricultural workers across Hawaii;

(2) Requires the working group to submit to the Legislature an interim report prior to the Regular Session of 2028 and a final report prior to the Regular Session of 2029; and

(3) Appropriates moneys to support the working group in its collection of necessary data and preparation of the required reports.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, Hawaii Food+ Policy, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Farmers Union, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that access to stable and affordable housing is one of the most significant challenges facing Hawaii's agricultural workforce. Farmers and other agricultural employers consistently report that the lack of nearby workforce housing limits their ability to recruit and retain workers, expand production, and sustain long-term operations. The working group established by this measure will be key to creating insightful, data-driven strategies to address this challenge, which directly affects the State's ability to meet food sustainability and food security goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair